The Pentax Optio S45 and Pentax Optio S55 feature a Pentax SMC 3x optical zoom lens, a 4 megapixel sensor in the S45, and a 5 megapixel sensor in the S55, and a large 2.5″ screen, all encased in a small aluminium body. The camera’s 3x optical zoom lens is equivalent to 35.6 – 107mm on a 35mm camera. It records unlimited 320 x 240 / 30fps videos with sound. The camera’s very compact (on the box it reads ‘ultra-compact’, and it will easily fit into trouser pockets), takes AA batteries and measures: 89 x 58.5 x 27.5mm, and weighs 135g (without batteries and memory card)
The camera is quick to switch on, however it takes a couple of seconds before it’s ready to take a photo. Low light focusing seems fairly decent (tested with one light source). The screen updates are quick and smooth (in good light). The playback mode is also quick. Playback mode allows you to zoom as close as 12x. The camera shutter response seemed quite quick when pre-focused - and shot to shot time was also noticably quick - although this was made slower by the flash recharging. The flash recharge time seemed about average (not noticably quick, but not noticably slow either).
The Pentax Optio S45 and S55 are both good all round digital cameras - easy to fit into pockets, full of features to suit all level of photographer. The cameras take AA batteries, and have a metal body so would make a great travel camera. The easy to use camera is capable of good results, although there is some purple fringing and images are slightly soft. The super macro mode is good.
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This latest model, the Pentax Optio S45, is an entry-level four megapixel model featuring a big 2.5 inch LCD monitor screen, an SMC Pentax Sliding Lens 3x optical zoom, an all-metal body and a range of fun and useful options that puts the competition to shame. It does all of this for under £125 and still manages to look good.
There’s no doubt the S45 is an attractive camera, and thanks to the sandblasted matt metal finish it will stay looking good for a long time. Pentax build quality has always been good and the S45 is certainly no exception. The pressed aluminium body feels very strong, with no creaks or flexing when squeezed. Design and handling are superb, with a comfortable handgrip on the front, easy-to-use controls on the back and that huge LCD monitor. The card slot hatch is separate from the battery hatch and is latched and spring-loaded. The battery hatch is on the base of the camera, but since the tripod bush is right over on the left edge it might be possible to change batteries while the camera is fixed on a tripod.
In terms of image quality, the S45 is comfortably above average, although it does have some noticeable issues. Noise control is very good with only a trace of colour distortion and speckling visible at 200 ISO, and even producing useable images at 400 ISO. Colour rendition is superb, even though the test shots were taken on an overcast day.
Unfortunately the S45, or at least our test model, had some major problems with lens distortion, especially at wide angle. Only the centre part of the image was really sharp, with very visible distortion over much of the rest of the image. Check out the test shot of the red door with the hanging baskets to see this effect. If you are considering buying an S45 it might be as well to check out this issue in the store before paying.
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